The Kept Truth
889 Words
Jade stirred awake, her heart beating slightly faster than usual, her body wrapped in a strange warmth she couldn’t explain. Blinking up at the morning sunlight pouring through her window, she tried to shake off the feeling that something was... different.
She sat up slowly, rubbing her temples as if the motion could jog her memory. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't recall what exactly had happened last night.
"It feels like I dreamt something... or maybe not. Did something happen?" She whispered to herself, her brows furrowing in confusion.
Her muscles ached slightly, as though she had been running all night, and there was an unfamiliar restlessness deep inside her, something tugging at her, stirring a sense of unease. She pressed her hand over her heart, feeling the strange rhythm beneath her skin. It wasn’t a bad feeling, but it wasn’t something she was used to either.
"Why do I feel so... different?" she muttered again as she slid out of bed, her feet hitting the cool floor.
Determined to shake off the uneasy feeling, Jade pulled on her clothes and headed to the kitchen. The aroma of breakfast—eggs, bacon, and freshly baked bread—wafted through the kitchen, immediately grounding her in the familiar comfort of her daily routine.
Her mother, was already in the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared breakfast for the pack house. Jade’s steps faltered slightly as she entered the room, her eyes scanning her mother’s face. The nagging thought at the back of her mind pushed her to ask, despite the absurdity of the feeling.
"Mom, did anything... unusual happen last night?" Jade asked hesitantly, her voice softer than usual.
Lyra turned around, her eyes as warm and kind as ever. She gave Jade a gentle smile, shaking her head. "No, sweetheart, nothing unusual. Why do you ask?"
Jade frowned, trying to put her thoughts into words. "I don’t know... I just feel like something... something happened. But I can’t remember it."
Her mother’s smile didn’t waver, but there was a flicker of something—something unreadable—in her eyes before she turned back to the stove.
"It was just a regular night, Jade," Lyra reassured her. "Maybe you're just nervous about the gathering tomorrow."
The gathering. Right. Jade had nearly forgotten about that. Every year, the pack hosted a gathering to celebrate the werewolves who had shifted for the first time, and for those who had turned of age, it was also the time they would find their mates.
Jade sighed and pulled out a chair at the table, trying to push aside the lingering unease. Maybe her mother was right. Maybe it was just nerves.
"Yeah, maybe..." she mumbled, though she couldn’t shake the strange sensation.
Lyra placed a plate of food in front of her, sitting across from her. "Tomorrow is a big day. The whole pack will be there. It’s always exciting to see the new wolves taking their first steps into their future." She smiled, but there was something guarded in her tone.
"Do you think..." Jade started, her thoughts wandering. "Do you think I’ll ever find my mate?"
Lyra's smile softened. "Of course, Jade. When the time is right, everything will fall into place." Her gaze lingered on Jade for a moment longer before she added, "But don’t rush it. Some things happen when they’re meant to, not when we expect them to."
Jade nodded, her thoughts drifting as she absentmindedly picked at her food. There was still something off about last night. She couldn’t help but wonder if her mother was hiding something. But then again, what would she need to hide?
Flashback
Lyra stood at the edge of the forest, her hand resting on the back of the pure white wolf standing next to her.She had summoned Amara out after Jade had fallen asleep. Amara, Jade's wolf, shimmered in the moonlight, her blue eyes reflecting the power that she held.
"We can't tell her yet," Lyra whispered, her voice filled with worry.
Amara's gaze flickered toward her. "You worry too much,My Lady. She is ready for this."
"No," Lyra said firmly, shaking her head. "She may have shifted, but Jade is not prepared for the truth. If she learns everything now, she won't be able to control her powers. And if the wrong people find out..."
Amara sighed, lowering her head. "I understand. But you know we can't protect her forever. Sooner or later, she will need to know who she really is."
"I know," Lyra whispered, her eyes filled with sorrow. "But not yet. We need more time."
Amara’s eyes softened as she nudged Lyra gently. "I trust you, My Lady. When the time is right, Jade will understand everything. Until then, we will keep her safe."
Back to Present
As Jade and her mother finished breakfast, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was being kept from her. But as her mother started talking excitedly about the pack gathering and the traditions surrounding it, Jade pushed the thoughts aside. Maybe she was just overthinking things.
She had a big day ahead of her, and if anything had happened last night... well, it seemed like no one else knew about it. She had to prepare for the scholarship and had no time to dwell on the unknown.
- Writer
